Any German veggies out there? Come and tell me what you want to eat on Christmas Eve!

[TheKnackeredChef]

ExH and his new GF are coming for dinner on Christmas Eve. She's German and I understand that in Germany Christmas Eve is a big deal, so I wanted to do something traditionally German to make her feel at home. Apparently carp is the thing, but she's veggie so that's out. Can anyone help me devise a lovely German themed veggie menu? And any other advice would be most welcome. Danke!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Am not German, but I would like lots of gingerbread!

No idea re German mains - but suspect potatoes and cabbage might feature quite heavily?

[sukysue]

germanfood.about.com/od/vegetarianrecipes/r/meatfreepatties.htm this site looks amazing l part love the thought of actress fondue omg heaven yummy ! Hth x

[sukysue]

That should read particularly love the cheese fondue! Haha

[SugarPlumTree]

I think I'd be tempted to do Reibekuchen (potato pancake) with red cabbage.

[TheKnackeredChef]

Excellent. Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to go down the cheese fondue route. It'll be fun for the DCs and I can do some bits that will please everyone. Plus lots of Lebekuchen, of course!

Also planning on getting hold of a pickle shaped ornament and hiding it somewhere - apparently this is another German tradition. Whoever finds it gets to open the first present. I thought that sounded really sweet. And I've read that in Germany they don't decorate their trees until Christmas Eve, but I LOVE putting up my tree so in lieu of this I thought I'd make a huge gingerbread Christmas tree which we can decorate in the afternoon before we go to the village carol service.

I think I'm genuinely more excited about this than the day itself!

[Candycandle]

My french great aunt makes a cheese and egg roulade for christmas. I know it's not particularly christmassy but with some herbs to dress it up - it does look special.

[GlowWine]

Well in my family the evening of the 24th we have a 'posh' cold buffet type meal. I'd go for festive party style, so cheese fondue sounds good. Lunch is something light before the festivities proper begin in the afternoon.
The big meat and potatoes happen on Christmas day lunch

No sure about the pickle ornament, but yes the tree goes up on the 24th: in my family it was decorated by the adults on the evening of the 23rd in secret, the room is then out of bounds on the 24th until the big reveal in the afternoon (theoretically after you come back from church).

[Welshcake77]

The cheese fondue idea is great and it sounds like you've got a lovely day planned. I live in Germany and I don't know anyone who does the does the pickle thing! But I think it's lovely that you're making such an effort for her, I'm sure she'll appreciate it.
Don't forget the Glühwein too!